Windows Phone 7.5 Comes With 500 New Features, Says Ballmer

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has reported that the Windows Phone 7.5 Mango update will bring 500 new features to the platform.

Speaking during a Microsoft developer conference in Japan, Ballmer highlighted the significance of the update to the Windows Phone platform, claiming that the update will bring 500 new features and bring the OS' functionality in line with its rivals, The Telegraph reports.

Microsoft is expected to unveil the Mango update at events in London and New York on May 24.

Ballmer also said that the company will be announcing new original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partners and new partner carriers. This means that the platform will available on more phones and will be available in a broader range of markets.

The Mango update was first previewed by Microsoft during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The update is expected to bring a faster web browser in the form on Internet Explorer 9, multi-tasking, faster app performance, faster file transfer and support for Office 365 and Windows Live.

But these are only the highlights, most of the 500 new features are still unknown. It's too early to say whether the rest of the features are enough to turn Windows Phone into a competitive mobile OS.